Cleveland Heights City Council meeting highlights 5-21-12

MAY 21, 2012

  • Historic Preservation Month
  • Sustainability suggestions
  • Oakwood comments
  • Water and sewer fees increase
  • Police vehicles
  • 3354 Berkeley Ave.
  • Lead Safe Program
  • Council member in marathon
  • Waterline survey
  • Mayfield Road work
  • Road salt purchase
  • Recycling income
  • Sustainable zoning practices
  • More outdoor dining spots
  • Open Office

Mayor Edward J. Kelley was absent.

Historic Preservation Month

Resident Deanna Bremer noted the observation of Historic Preservation Month in May, including a busy schedule of activities. She thanked the city for its support and discussed the vulnerability of historic buildings, stating that a review process is needed for proposed demolition of buildings in historic register districts. She recommended that the city participate in the Ohio Certified Local Government Program, which can provide 60/40 matching funds to participating cities to help identify and nominate properties for renovation.

Sustainability suggestions

Resident Dean Sieck commended council for the sustainability initiative, but suggested that some omissions, if enacted, would produce better air quality and less landfill use. He suggested a “no idle” ordinance for motor vehicles and a “pay as you throw” program as an incentive to recycle for those residents who do not recycle. He stated that 243 Ohio communities have such an ordinance and in some states it is statewide.

Oakwood comments

Resident Garry Kanter made a presentation about the Oakwood development, including a handout, comparing the process which took place in South Euclid with what he hopes will happen in Cleveland Heights.

Water and sewer fees increase

The city manager reported that due to decreased revenues from the housing downturn, monthly water service fees must be raised. These fees were first introduced in 2005 at $4 per month and will be raised to $10 per month beginning mid-July. Homeowners who are eligible for the homestead exemption will continue to pay no fee.

Police vehicles

Council authorized the sale of six used police vehicles to Police Cruisers Ltd. for a $15,000 credit to apply to the purchase of nine new police vehicles from Greve Chrysler Jeep Dodge.

3354 Berkeley Ave.

Council declared the house at 3354 Berkeley Ave. a nuisance and authorized abatement. This house, which has been empty for many years, has multiple violations and taxes in arrears. Razing will cost $10,000 and an asbestos survey will cost $500.

Lead Safe Program

The city has been awarded an additional $512,000 for the Lead Safe Program. Eligible residents may apply for funding for home improvements to abate lead hazards by calling 216-291-4869.

Council member in marathon

Council Member Mary Dunbar said that since her photo and story appeared in The Plain Dealer, she should say how she did in the Cleveland Rite Aid Marathon—the 85-degree heat forced her to drop out at mile 17 due to dehydration.

Waterline survey

Council authorized an agreement with Consulting Engineering Inc. for a waterline survey not to exceed $44,000. These annual surveys locate undetected leaks and save a great deal of water.

Mayfield Road work

Council authorized an agreement, not to exceed $254,845, with GPD Group for engineering and bidding support services for Mayfield Road rehabilitation from Kenilworth Road to Warrensville Center Road.

Road salt purchase

Council authorized an agreement to participate in the Ohio Department of Transportation’s contract to purchase sodium chloride for the 2012–13 winter season.

Recycling income

Council Member Bonnie Caplan said that, although only about 59% of households separate trash to recycle, the city made $150,000 last year from the recycling program.

Sustainable zoning practices

Council adopted zoning code revisions to incorporate sustainable practices into the zoning code. Council Member Caplan and Vice Mayor Dennis Wilcox congratulated the planning department and the law director for the extraordinary amount of work they did to produce these revisions. Wilcox pointed out three aspects to sustainability: environmental, social and economic. The full text of the ordinance may be found on the Cleveland Heights website at www.clevelandheights.com -- news.

More outdoor dining spots

Council authorized an agreement with Kathmandu Inc. (Café Tandoor) for the use of public property adjoining the building at 2096 South Taylor Road for outside dining from May 1 through Nov. 1, 2012 and a similar agreement with Keith Logan (Sweetie Fry) at 2307 Lee Road.

Open Office

Council approved an agreement with The Open Office, LLC for a loan under the city’s Commercial Loan Fund Program for assistance with the planned expansion of its incubator business space at the former Coventry School.

LWV Observer: Blanche Valancy.

These meeting summaries are abstracted from LWV observers’ written reports. The summaries have been edited and prepared by Anne McFarland, Charlene Morse, and Maryann Barnes. To receive e-mail postings of full reports, send an e-mail to mbarnes9515@gmail.com or join through Google groups using “lwv-chuh observer reports” as a search phrase.

These reports contain member observation and selected highlights of public meetings and are not official statements of the Heights Chapter of the League of Women Voters Cuyahoga Area. This disclaimer must accompany any redistribution of these reports.

League of Women Voters

Observer Corps editor for the Heights Chapter of the League of Women Voters, Cuyahoga Area

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